Jay Martin (1)

A great introduction for those wanting to understand both Aiken and his work as a poet, writer and literary critic. An examination of his writing yields clues about his life and motivation for much of what he produced. And since Mr. Aiken is a cipher to folks like me (who haven't read as much about him as I should), this book did answer some questions about the meaning behind Ushant and some of his other, less-than-accessible works.
Though the author is sympathetic, he is also candid in his opinions about Aiken's failures, especially as they relate to his poetry.
Yet, even these criticisms only serve to make Conrad Aiken vulnerable, human, all the easier to relate to.
Conrad Aiken is a writer and poet worth getting to know. Maybe someday the Library of America will wise up and publish a collection of his work...… (more)

Who Am I This Time? was published in 1988, yet much of what is discussed seems only dated by the pop culture references, not by the insights provided into those who don't have a "real" self and use fictional characters and themes to make themselves "real."

While there is healthy narcissism, there are also healthy fictive personalities by which we assess who our self is by identifying with fictions and deciding if that is who we "are" or want to "be."

A fictive personality has lost the ability to separate "real" from "fiction" and has integrated personality traits from the fictions (e.g. books, television, movies, other people) around them in order to become who they think they should be.

Using his experience as a writer and literary critic, Jay Martin expands his psychoanalyst theories about the fictive personality. Many case studies are used; some include stories of real patients, others the stories of public figures with a certain notoriety. Entire chapters are dedicated to William Faulkner & Sigmund Freud, discussing how their fragmented childhoods were covered up by the taking on of traits from characters they encountered in literature in order to survive.

John Hinkley identified with Travis Bickle from "Taxi Driver" and determined that in order to get Jodi Foster's attention and free her from the prison of college life he should assassinate Ronald Reagan so she would see Hinkley as the romantic hero he longed to be. As history shows, it didn't turn out that well for Hinkley, or Jim Brady, who took a bullet meant for Reagan.

There are many tales like these in Who Am I This Time?, but Martin is also careful to explain that not all those who identify with fictional characters, or create them, are unhealthy, narcissistic psychopaths. A lot of discussion is given to creative types who must be able to identify with fictions in order to create.… (more)